What makes swollen feet

Common causes of swollen ankles, feet and legs Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema. Oedema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long eating too much salty food being overweight being pregnant — read about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy taking certain medicines — such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants or steroids Oedema can also be caused by: an injury — such as a strain or sprain an insect bite or sting problems with your kidneys, liver or heart a blood clot an infection Check if you have oedema Symptoms of oedema include: Swollen or puffy ankles, feet or legs.

Do lie down and use pillows to raise the swollen area when you can get some gentle exercise, like walking, to improve your blood flow wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole wash, dry and moisturise your feet to avoid infections. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your ankle, foot or leg is swollen and:. Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:. Other ways to get help A GP may be able to treat you.

Wearing bandages or compression garments may also be beneficial. Swelling of the feet could be a sign of heart disease or heart failure. If the heart is damaged, it cannot pump blood to the heart efficiently. Right-sided heart failure can cause the body to retain salt and water, resulting in swollen feet.

Treatment options for heart failure include medications, medical devices to help support the heart, and surgery. People with poorly functioning kidneys may not be able to flush out fluid, which can build up in the body.

Kidney disease may not present any symptoms until it is severe and the kidneys are beginning to fail. Signs and symptoms of kidney failure include:.

Treatment options for kidney disease include medication, a low-protein diet, and supplements of vitamin D and calcium. Liver disease can inhibit the production of albumin. Albumin is a protein that helps stop the blood leaking from blood vessels.

A lack of albumin means that the blood may leak, causing fluid to pool in the legs and feet, which can result in swelling. To treat liver disease, a doctor may prescribe medication. They may also suggest making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or reducing alcohol intake.

Many cases of swollen feet tend to resolve without medical care, although home remedies and lifestyle changes can help reduce the swelling.

If the swelling does not go away or it occurs repeatedly, it is essential to make an appointment with a doctor to determine whether there is an underlying cause. If swollen feet occur alongside shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure in the chest, call the emergency services immediately. Read this article in Spanish. Toe cramps can have a variety of causes. Learn more about the causes of toe cramps and how to treat them here. This article takes a look at some foot exercises for strength, flexibility, and pain relief.

It also covers safety tips to prevent discomfort. People can prevent ingrown toenails by cutting the nails properly. However, cutting an already ingrown nail at home can make it worse. This article…. This article looks at the structure of the foot — including bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons — and some of the common conditions that affect it. The location of pain in the foot can help doctors determine the underlying cause.

Depending on the cause, foot pain may or may not require medical…. Why are my feet swollen? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.

Share on Pinterest Edema refers to swelling that results from trapped fluid. Foot or ankle injury. Lifestyle factors. A side effect of medication. Share on Pinterest Steroids can cause swelling in the feet. Hot weather. If caught in time, it can be treated. How does foot swelling play into this? While anyone who sits for long periods can develop a blood clot, certain factors boost your risk, including obesity, smoking, being pregnant, having heart failure , kidney conditions, a previous clot, cancer, or taking certain medications, such as birth control pills.

If these symptoms strike without explanation, notify your doctor ASAP, or head for the emergency room. The strategies that prevent your feet from swelling from other reasons can also help prevent blood clots. A lot of people have swelling other places too, like their hands and face. You would think that treatment for kidney disease would help the problem, but not so with dialysis , which is often required for advanced cases of kidney failure.

Dialysis machines are like artificial kidneys, performing the same tasks that your kidneys no longer can. This is when medications can help. Marcussen, of medications that increase the amount of water and salt you excrete in your urine. Cirrhosis of the liver means it has developed scarring, perhaps from hepatitis or from drinking too much alcohol for too many years.

The scarring interferes with blood flow to and in the liver. This causes high blood pressure in the veins going into the liver called portal hypertension , potentially leading to swelling in both the legs and feet but also in the abdomen called ascites. Cirrhosis also interferes with production of a protein called albumin, another factor contributing to foot swelling. Drugs, namely diuretics, and lifestyle measures like limiting salt can help with symptoms, including foot swelling.

Always do this under the care of your doctor, as people with liver failure need to get rid of the excess water slowly. Other signs of cirrhosis include swelling in your abdomen, feeling tired, bleeding and bruising easily, nausea, and having yellow-tinted skin and eyes.

Treatment usually involves medications, lifestyle changes, and even a liver transplant. By Amanda Gardner Updated February 28, Save Pin More. Whether your swollen feet are barely noticeable or you feel like you're carrying balloons, something's off—and anything from changes in your weight to hormone weirdness to a serious condition like heart disease could be to blame. The guide below will help you decode what's going on, and what you can do to fit into your shoes again. Start Slideshow.

Credit: Getty Images. Sitting down and rubbing painful foot from neuroma. Credit: Josep M Suria. Pain on the top of the feet from tendonitis. Red stethoscope forming the shape of a heart. Replay gallery. Pinterest Facebook. Up Next Cancel. By Amanda Gardner.